Elton John: 20 essential songs

Elton John’s first hit is also one of his most enduring. This simple, piano-driven love song was written in 1969 by Elton and his long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin. The former is said to have written themusic in around 10 minutes, while the latter completed the lyrics over breakfast in the flat the two shared. Your Song was originally the b-side to the song Take Me to the Pilot, but radio play eventually helped it to make the top 10 in both the UK and US. The track won a new generation of fans when it was revived by British singer Ellie Gouldingin 2010 for that year’s John Lewis Christmas advert. In October 2015 it was announced that he will be touring the UK again in 2016, with confirmed dates in Lincoln, Leicester and Exeter.